Dundeel's Captain Amelia to Target Percy Sykes Stakes

Mark Smith - Wednesday March 8

A two-year-old Dundeel filly winning over 1000m on debut bodes well for the future of the John O’Shea-trained Captain Amelia.

Given a gun ride by James McDonald, Captain Amelia was strong to the line in defeating the Sooboog filly Gold Lover by a length, with the well-supported Maurice (JPN) filly Saikono a half-neck back in third.

“I’ll have to hand my tipping licence in as I thought they would be too sharp for her over 1000m,” O’Shea said.

“The one thing I have learned is good horses do good things at their first start, irrespective of what you think.

“There is no doubting her class. We have always thought highly of her, but you can see that she wobbled around the turn, didn’t know quite what to do   

“It was a great ride by James. Teaching her at her first start. He had her in a lovely spot and executed well. She has a bright future.

“We will make an assessment, but ideally, we would like to end up in a Percy Sykes (Stakes).”

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Bred by Grant Bloodstock and Carpe Diem Asset Management, Captain Amelia was a $160,000 purchase for her trainer from the Silverdale Farm draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

A half-sister to stakes-placed winner Intrepidacious (Shooting To Win), Captain Amelia is the third foal of the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Courageous Kitty.

Captain Amelia a $160,000 Inglis Premier yearling

A sister to Group II ATC Sweet Embrace Stakes, Group II Percy Sykes Stakes, and Group II MRC Rubiton Stakes inner Anaheed and a half-sister to listed winner Farooq (Frankel), Courageous Kitty is a daughter of the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Rostova (Testa  Rossa).

Courageous Kitty was covered by I Am Invincible last spring.

Dundeel is having a good season with his 2yos. His son Militarize was an impressive winner at Canterbury on debut, and ran a cracker when third behind the Golden Slipper favourites Cylinder and Red Resistance in the Group II Todman Stakes.

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Race Result - Racing And Sports Mdn Hcp 1000m

Randwick-Kensington Track: Good(4) Time: 0:57.69
1
Captain Amelia
- 2f Dundeel (NZ) x Courageous Kitty (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57.5
2
1.0
Gold Lover
- 2f Sooboog (AUS) x Layne's Star (AUS) (Love Conquers All (AUS))
Tnr: T P Croft Rdr: Ms W Costin 58
3
1.2
Saikono
- 2f Maurice (JPN) x Teaspoon (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 57.5
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $250,000
Seller: Arrowfield Stud, Scone
Buyer: Stokes Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)
4
1.4
Manhattan Baby
- 2f Mikki Isle (JPN) x Maddison Avenue (AUS) (Manhattan Rain (AUS))
Tnr: M C Conners Rdr: Tim Clark 57
5
2.7
Utopian Wine
- 2f Pierro (AUS) x Dystopia (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 57.5
6
3.4
Greatestofease
- 2f Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Lecture (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: C Schofield 57
7
3.5
She's Got Veuve
- 2f Merchant Navy (AUS) x Kirini (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 57.5
8
10.0
Mandalong Princess
- 2f Vancouver (AUS) x Mandalong Queen (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: G R Nickson Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 57.5
9
11.8
Clea
- 2f Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Streama (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: B Prebble 57.5
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